Green Machine has dropped the ball in sacking of coaches Grayson and Desiree

“(Michael) Grayson was, two weeks ago, summarily fired by school principal Ms Linda Francis, without any consultation, discussion or explanation and replaced by a coach who has never won a single title at the senior level and who was fired mid-season by another East Zone school after losing six consecutive games—the team was subsequently demoted from the Premier Division to the Championship Division.

“So much for ‘Striving for Excellence’. Or is this excellence redefined?”

In the following Letter to the Editor, a “Proud, Longstanding Green Machine Supporter” explains why St Augustine Secondary principal Linda Francis might have dropped the ball in the dismissal of boys and girls coaches Michael Grayson and Desiree Sergeant and the respective staffs:

The motto of the St Augustine Secondary is “Striving for Excellence.” Michael Grayson began as head coach of the school’s football program in 2004 and coached the senior team for twelve years until 2015. During that period, the school won 19 titles—five at the national level and 14 at the zonal level.

His four National League Championships in 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2010 and a National Intercol Championship in 2013, makes him the most successful coach in the Secondary School Football League during the period of his tenure as coach of the Green Machine’s Senior Boys team.

Only one school, Naparima College has won more national titles over the period—one more title for a total of 6 titles, but not under the same coach.

St Augustine’s 2004 National League tittle was its first national title in 15 years, the previous one being in the year 1989.

Additionally when the Green Machine won the National Intercol title in 2013, the school ended a 29-year drought since its last Intercol triumph in the year 1984.

Before the Green Machine’s first triumph under coach Grayson in 2004, the last East Zone team to win a senior national title was St Augustine who were crowned National League Champs in 1989.

However since 2004 the East Zone was been the most prolific zone at the national level in the SSFL with eight national titles, followed by the North and South Zones with seven titles each. Leading this East Zone resurgence was St Augustine Secondary under Coach Grayson with five of the eight national triumphs by the East Zone.

In 2014, the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) celebrated its 50th Anniversary and coach Michael Grayson was honoured along with six other coaches as one of the top coaches of the quinquagenary (50 year) period.

For the above-listed record of achievement, coach Grayson was, two weeks ago, summarily fired by school principal Ms Linda Francis, without any consultation, discussion or explanation and replaced by a coach—Adrian Romain—who has never won a single title at the senior level and who was fired mid-season by another East Zone school after losing six consecutive games—the team was subsequently demoted from the Premier Division to the Championship Division.

Photo: St Augustine Secondary coach Michael Grayson (standing) tries to console defensive midfielder Ainsworth Grant, after their 2-1 loss to Naparima College in the 2015 National Intercol final at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.Grayson has been replaced by Adrian Romain for the 2016 season.(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

So much for “Striving for Excellence.” Or is this excellence redefined?

Desiree Sarjeant, the Head Coach of the St Augustine Secondary girls football program, and a former national footballer and past pupil of the school, an assistant coach with the National Under-20 Women’s team and Head Coach of St Augustine SC—the current Champion team of the T&T Women’s League Football and made up primarily of past and present players of St Augustine Secondary—was also summarily fired by principal Linda Francis.

The reason given was that she was not sufficiently “qualified” to be employed as a coach by the Ministry of Education.

This notwithstanding the fact the football program handed over a cheque of TT$21,000 to principal Francis, representing prize monies for the 2015 football season and that the school benefits from a football program sponsorship deal with Malta Carib to the tune of TT$60,000.

Sarjeant has won five senior national titles during her tenure as coach of the senior girls team. In 2006, she coached the senior girls team to its first National Intercol title and, in 2013 and 2014, to back-to-back National League and Intercol championships, winning all but one game during that two year period.

In addition, St Augustine Senior also won back-to-back national league titles at the Under-15 level during the same period.

“Coach Desiree” was also singled out at the SSFL’s 50th anniversary celebrations as one of the top coaches in the women’s game.

A total of seven national championships in two years, winning every category for which the school was entered, did not seem “excellent” enough for the goodly principal Francis—notwithstanding Coach Desiree’s offer to coach the team for a reduced stipend, which would be more than covered by the team’s earnings and the sponsorship arrangement.

Instead she is being replaced by some un-named coach.

It is not that anyone is questioning principal Francis’ authority to hire or fire coaches based on her considered judgment.

What is confusing is how come the top performing coaches in the league over the last decade are not good enough in spite of exemplary records of performance, commitment and professionalism, while replacements with no comparable real track record of performance and professionalism are preferred.

Again the only plausible explanation seems to be “excellence redefined” or that the goodly principal Francis has dropped the ball.

Editor’s Note: New St Augustine Secondary coach Adrian Romain pointed out that he quit his post as Trinity College East head coach after three losses—and not six—while he explained that his departure was voluntary after he was offered a demotion to the role of assistant coach.

152 comments

Lasana, What is happening to this country???? I know both persons and if some people were privileged like me to be around these persons, (especially listening to them in the Dressing Room and on the field) they may be wondering “WHAT” could be the reasons for dismissal. I CERTAINLY WAIT TO HEAR.

In my mind nothing will come of this. Grayson being fired and another coach hired instantly screams of nepotism. And all that talk of past Trinity coaches and scholarship programs is utter bullcrap. 9 years I am working there, nobody could fool me with that speed talk

This is not over i will speak to the director of school supervision on this matter. This principal is destroying that school. She got rid of the school steelband basketball team netball team now she is attacking the football team

It is becuz the players are protesting based on Grayson success you think if he was unsuccessful they would of wanted him back as their coach ? hence the reason I’m saying tribute must be paid to Kenny Thomas St Augustine has been successful as a team way b4 Micheal Grayson inclusion not discrediting him as a coach .

The players never knew Thomas. He didn’t coach any of them. And Wired868 did give courtesy to Kenny on his passing.
But Kenny Thomas is not relevant here. You might as well mention Osmond Downer and everyone else who played a role.
This is their reaction to Grayson and Desiree Sargaent.

So who holds the principal accountable? I work opposite Gustine. The football was an excellent outlet to teach, motivate and encourage the students to excel. Her decisions will have an impact that will be felt for years ?

Well boy SMH let me SMH again!!!
Live Wire is ah boss!
This country does only talk sports, we not serious. We don’t link anything. We need cohesiveness between TTFA, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health
All aspiring footballers from primary and secondary schools should be under a division of TTFA because eventually they should filter into the T&T Senior Teams.
TTFA should have a say, if not, the say on football coaches at the school level (coaches certified by TTFA). Academic qualifications should be required but it should not be the deciding factor. Experience and certification should weigh more than academic qualifications.
Ministry of Health should also link with schools to ensure ALL athletes have a sports nutritionist in the school system
No principal should be head hunting for coaches without an input from the respective sporting discipline boards i.e. swimming, basketball, football, cricket etc
It sounds bureaucratic but what happened at Gustine has HURT the players and coaches tremendously.

Well put Sir Jamal, I say this publicly that Mike Grayson is the best youth coach I have seen, my son was priviliged to play under him and won four titles in two years. Not withstanding these facts we must be careful of how we respond to this situation. There are sects of information that maybe required to arrive at a conclusion rather than banter about irresponsible judgements. The principal of St Augustine is the best person to acquire the facts from. What I do know is there are persons dehind the scene fanning the fire of gossip and discord. Welcome to Soccer Warlock in Trinidad. The lad has a lot to offer, let’s not put our heads in the sand Openmindednesss is critical here. He has titles to his name also, in whatever capacity of the game he has functioned in, this includes our Professional League which is classified as the highest level, let’s research the records holisticly.

Perhaps you should provide full disclosure in saying the new coach is your nephew… Like Jamal said, no need to crucify the new coach, however if we find out there was backstabbing then is another story. I’ll leave this right there.

Brent the decision was not a case of backstabbing as communicated. There seemed to have had internal discord as in every organization and the incumbent becomes the scapegoat, the facts are far removed and emotions as I said prior comes into play.

Brent Bennett this back stabbing thing have been going on a very long time ago eh, why do you think there is no Coaches Association or Players Association up and running long time in our sweet country eh, not because of plenty back stabbing eh, and when the corrupted ex- sports minister started the FFPAT eh, it was only to get their millions from the ex – corrupted Jack Warner and his corrupted TTFF eh, because after that it was just swept under the carpet instead of carrying it on to defend our players rights and educate them about other things eh, and this was done because the Ex- corrupted Sports Minister and his 2 other pals had other agendas eh. Them really good yes.

The thing is i haven’t heard anyone refute what has been proferred thus far. The principal seem to have her own agenda albeit her prerogative. However, on another note, most if not all school preaches ‘allround education’ of our wards which means that they are ultimately responsible for such. A child with a talent in any sporting discipline cannot get a scholarship with one or two passes in CSEC. A child with a full CSEC certificate and excelling in a sport will most likely get a scholarship as well as a child who just have a full academic CSEC certificate. The point is scholarships are not dependent on a coach but on the school and their ability to mould students academically and well rounded.

If the principal, and by extension the ministry of education, were serious about ensuring that student athletes performed well academically they would develop and implement academic standards that students must meet to retain their athletic eligibility. The responsibility for education of the student athlete cannot fall solely on the coach. The coach may be able to inspire and motivate the student to strive for academic excellence – utilizing incentives such as opportunities to introduce them to athletic scholarships etc. However, the school, particularly the principal and teaching staff, are primarily responsible for ensuring that appropriate programs are implemented to help student athletes balance their athletic aspirations with their academics. Athletes go above and beyond to bring fame, recognition, and significant revenue to the schools. They come in early, stay late, and give up their weekends to fly the flags of their school. In return they should be provided with enrichment programs, including tutors and teachers willing to go the extra mile to help them stay current with their academics. Obviously, the student ultimately has to take final responsibility for their academic success.

BTW – word has it that the Gustine principal is creating havoc at the school. There is great turmoil between her and her staff. I doubt we have heard the last about this principal and questionable decisions at the school. A number of support staff have already been fired.

However one must be careful not to blame the new coaches coming into these new jobs just in case they had nothing to do with any undermining.
Unless we have some facts who has been appointed and how our friends were DIS appointed are two separate issues.
In saying that total respect for the work out in by Michael Grayson and Desiree Sargeant indeed they stand as two giants in our fraternity.

Ok as a past not so prominent Green Machine I will have to investigate this matter on my return home. I hope this is not a WICBC bug that has bitten the decision makers. So we must get the facts by asking the decision makers what prompted such action and the criteria used to bring in new blood.

Kester, without a certain number of passes, you cannot be paid through school board. But schools are free to raise money to pay such staff and some do.
Desiree coached under same rule about academic qualifications last year for instance.
I’ve started looking into this story but haven’t been able to complete it yet.

Absolute garbage!! Was the coach informed of the rationale? Even after a certain age, we should respectfully and honestly evaluate performance, and on a case by case basis, determine abiity to continue.

I would say this the holistic development of the child is foremost important, what I do know is that there are gaps as far as the footballers both male and female are concerned. For example how many female footballers from St Augustine over the past 10 years was qual;ified to acquire a scholarship abroad.

I am not interested in the achievements of a coach as an individual but rather the fruits that are born out of his/her success, my question is to be direct how much emphasis does our coaches place on students balancing academic and athletics. Academically the girls in our intercol syystem are underachieving.

The achievements of a coach as an individual? Raoul, I am talking about the achievements of the coach’s team.
So if the students didn’t score well enough in SAT that is Desiree’s fault?
So she is being judged on things outside of her control too?
That seems really weak. Talk about stuff within her remit.

The coaches in and around the school system are good people, however they are not forceful enough in helping the players to balance it. Brent and Sheldon are examples I use everyday to state thatt outside of the pillar of their full parental support that they received Mr Grayson made sure that they were prepared to accept their scholarships amongst many others such as the Demin brothers and I could go on and on.

I’d agree with your statements under one condition Raoul Roger Romain…. was it a objective requirement of the coach in their contract to send kids on scholarships? If the coach never had that as an objective then I don’t see how they can be judged by that standard…

So you think the best way to judge a football coach is based on if his or her students are excellent in class under a different teacher Raoul?
Would you judge a teacher’s strength in class based on whether their students are starring on the football field under a different coach?

This 3 CXC passes ting is bullshittttttttttt, if a Coach goes to Holland and acquires an A license, and he applies for a Coaching job in a school and only has 1 CXC subject, he is not qualified.
Complete bullfarrrrrrt

What I am simply try to say is that in this time and age, coaches must have it on their agenda to markent themselves globally and not be cocooned to SSFL titles, for example Sean Cooper, Angus Eve, Donstan Williams, Grovsner Jason Edwards Dexter Cyrus and many others including Adrian Romain was able to have the scholarship ooption available to the students

For starters, I have no idea how many students have gone on from St Augustine to get scholarships. Maybe she got a lot. Secondly, that depends on many things.
Keith Look Loy won every title there was at Malick. Shawn David and Arnold Dwarika and Stokely Mason and so on didn’t pick up scholarships.
Fatima College probably picked up a few that year. Was the Fatima College coach a better coach than Look Loy that season?

Brian your goals must be bought into, Angus Eve did not have it easy at Naps. yess Fatima coach was better his players were able to represent not only their schools but also their country in the US system they entered, they would have placed the focus on us.

Seeking the interest of the children has to do with the Coach as a person, the better Coaching qualifications a Coach has makes him better equipped to deal with Coaching problems, CXC cant give u that, so in the reverse, the better the Coach, the better the team, the better the atmosphere in the entire school, so what is really more important

Brian Jordan Agreed Brian, We must not discredit the likes of the young who have chosen the route of playing in the TTProLeague and elsewhere, however if they are not academically equipped, they are exploited and give medial wages and contract agreements versus the qualified ones , example Sean De Silva Leston Paul Mikel Awai Sheldon Bateau Jan Michael Williams Yohance Marshall Sean Bonval, Keishon Seecharan and many others

I never said Look Loy was inferior, I gave my opinion on who was the more successful coach, If we are to measure overall occomplishments as two teams Fatima coach may have the edge. I have seen too many SSFL starstudded teams imploded over years. They are not cultured to succeed by coaches, who become mentors, parents, councilors, and many other caps, People remember these are the roles and responsibilitieswe assume when we take the coaching job in our fundamentally flawed education and social systems.

I haven’t followed the girl’s HS game for a bit but a few years ago my little cousin played @ Gustine and the following yr she, Annalis Cummimgs, Avi Issac and Janelle Hinds all went off to US schòols. There may have been others after but i havent been following the players. And even though these girls were NT youth players ànd it was Jamaal and Marlon Charles that was respomsinle for them attainjng the scholarships, they spent time playing for Des at the school.

By extension we must pressure the school coaches to pressure the students, for example could someone please investigate or rather research the average CXCpass rate at San Juan Comprehensive, there is a gross amount of underachievement there academically over the past five years to give a safe period.

I’m not getting into who should be coaching whom and why one was fired and another hired…I know both parties well….what I will say is that this particular thread of responses include some of the craziest reasoning I’ve ever read

It’s obvious girls would receive less scholarships to universities abroad because the level of competition is different to that in the US,not because someone doesn’t attain a scholarship means that they are not academically inclined….just saying

Editor’s Note: New St Augustine Secondary coach Adrian Romain pointed out that he quit his post as Trinity College East head coach after three losses—and not six—while he explained that his departure was voluntary after he was offered a demotion to the role of assistant coach.

That explanation is playing smart with stupidness. If you were the Head Coach and they offered you an Assistant Coach position instead what does that tell you about their assessment of your performance. It’s a nifty way of saying “YOU’RE FIRED”
Given that explanation I would not want that kind of mindset and logic around my young impressionable minds nah.

According to official SSFL match reports, Adrian Romain was the head coach for Trinity’s first four games of the 2015 Premiership season:
1. 3-0 loss away to CIC
2. 2-0 loss home to QRC
3. 4-3 loss away to Trinity Moka
4. 2-1 loss at home to San Juan

I know these 2 coaches personally and worked with both of them, I worked at Arima Senior and in South together with him, Gally, various other places for 19 years; Desiree since she was a National Player up to 3 years ago. They invested so much, and have been winners, of course there was dialogue etc.

I have been silently listening to “coaches” of school teams plot for the money being paid, envy the money Angus Eve and others are getting etc. The school league is now about the $ for many coaches and the back-biting has reached crisis proportions with this.

They will destroy player, teams and the League over the money being offered by some schools nowadays, and their ego. With all that this 2 given from their heart, and experience they bring, this is such a sad day.

dexter cyrus we live in a time where loyalty and gratitude does not exist I coached at belmont secondary on 3 occasions 4 free so I can give back 2 my old school then I went 2 the principal who was my former teacher and told her we need a full time coach 4 the program 2 rise again to prominenece she took my advice and hired ken elie not even bringing me In 4 a interview madness yes

Chat is the disciplinary breach of Tyrik? Is the post posing a threat to the physical safety of students at the school?is it that the school has imposed a gag order on students at the school? Is the school moving to deny him his constitutional right to freedom of expression?

Lasana Liburd so sad at lease she still have the club cause it’s made up of mainly the past players she groomed. No Des man. What I don’t understand is that she’s good enough to coach at a national level but not school come on

Maybe the officials at the schools are doing it like in the EPL eh, because some of the coaches at these schools it seems have been coaching for over a million years eh, the same with our Professional League eh, so as Bungi Garlin said “We tired of the same thing over and over” . Them really good yes. hahaha

SMH…Speechless. … dumbfounded… I’m not a Gustine man but coach Grayson has been one of my mentors since I was 16 years old.. he’s done done a tremendous amount for me and I wouldn’t be as successful in life today if it wasn’t for him…. Unprofessional behavior is ah hell of ah thing….

I have heard much about the operations of the administration at the school in recent times. It sounds as though the Admin is not focused on the needs and the innate talents of the students at the school. Key areas and programs in which the school has had a history of excelling have been dropped.
Stories coming out paint the Admin as anti student welfare. And we wonder what’s going on in the wider society? All the students need is a chance…Give it to them please and give them the BEST chance…give people who care about children the job. History would be unkind to the school admin. “Evil prevails when good people do nothing” I call on all good right thinking and reasonable people of the school community to do something…

In my case it was an ignorant, low and under mining committee that brain washed the principal to act against me. All what they say about Mr Earl Alcide, no committee that never play football nowhere, never play fuh Benedicts, never do ah course in dey life, ah surrrrrrrrre none ah dem was taking God out dey thoughts to go een his office and play they bad talking d most successful Coach the school had in the past 17yrs.UNGRATEFUL wanna be somebody

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